Voting is a curious and colourful game. Most of us play it by picking the party we agree with most from a wide palette of various, and often conflicting, promises.
The big problem usually comes after the election when we wonder why we bothered to play the voting game at all. For the winning party frequently appears either to have forgotten what they promised, or have not followed through on what they have promised.
In the worst-case scenario (quite common, these days), they have promised one thing but do the opposite. In other words, they show their true colours!
Naturally enough, voters become disillusioned and even cynical. Many of us choose not to vote at all, feeling that our vote means nothing. However, by not voting, we allow others to choose for us. We lose our chance to be in the game and to effect change.
For those of us who still genuinely care about the outcome, there is a simple formula to follow. We must tune out the advertising, ignore the polls, and check the recent history of each party. Which actions or achievements of any particular party do you commend and endorse? Which past scandals have served to sour you on politicians, in general? Remember: Past actions predict future performance. The corollary of this formula might be “performance has little to do with promises.”
So do your homework, be true to your deepest values, and mark your ballot for the colour that best suits you. Exercise the democratic power you possess and vote.
Ronn Boeur